A Visual Theology Guide to the Bible: Seeing and Knowing God's Word Paperback – Illustrated, March 26, 2019

Wow. I've had this book since its release, and it's taken me this long to think about what to say about it. In the meantime I've shown it to two of the pastors at my church; it's much easier to show the print copy than to describe it!My bottom line: I think this book is great for new Christians and for discipleship. But it's also a good review for even long-time believers, as well as a valuable source of information for defending our faith. The graphics are a huge help for visual learners. But I'm not especially a visual learner and I still found that the graphics helped to cement the concepts in my mind.Other resources, such as slides and a leader's guide, are available. I don't know whether Amazon carries them.I've given you my bottom line thoughts, but here are the specifics:The images in the product description will give you a taste of the infographics in this book. I wish it had a "Look Inside" option or an image of the Table of Contents. I don't think it's a copyright infringement to share this (somewhat blurry) image of the Contents page.As you'll see, the three major sections are Trusting the Bible, Studying the Bible, and Seeing the Bible.Section 1, Trusting the Bible, includes some statistics (how many books, how many authors), but also how the books of the Bible were compiled, how the included books were chosen and others rejected, and how we know that the Bible is true. This last part, especially, is helpful in apologetics.Section 2, Studying the Bible, tells why we should and how we can study the Bible. Certainly other study methods exist, but this one is straightforward and is a good starting point.Section 3, Seeing the Bible, is an overview of the Bible with a strong thread of Jesus woven throughout. We see how Jesus fulfills not only prophecy but also the longings of Israel from the time of Jacob. One of my favorite graphics is called "The New Covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-34, ESV." This is the text of that passage, marked up to show at least nine references to the New Covenant and what it means.I just love how the authors show how Jesus is woven through the entire Bible. In fact, near the beginning AND the end of the book you'll find a two-page image of "Jesus Cover to Cover," from the need for Jesus in Genesis to consummation of Jesus in Revelation.

Is it just me? Or have you, too, found it challenging to winningly introduce the Bible to people who are unfamiliar with it?That has certainly been my experience in the nursing home where I’ve been serving for nearly two decades. In this environment, it’s rare to talk with someone who has even read the entire Bible, let alone studied it in any depth. Most residents’ familiarity with Scripture is limited to hearing a few passages read aloud in church each week (and even that is becoming increasingly uncommon).So how exactly can one convey the Bible’s unrivaled significance as the inspired and inerrant Word of God—the only book that, as the Gideons so lovingly describe it, “contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers”?Here’s a great new solution: A Visual Theology Guide to the Bible by pastors Tim Challies and Josh Byers (Zondervan, 2019). If that title sounds a little heavy, check out the subtitle: Seeing and Knowing God’s Word. Then take a gander at the book’s inviting cover and flip through its lively content. You’ll discover that there’s nothing imposing or forbidding about this beautifully organized and illustrated volume.And oh, the content!“Part 1: Trusting the Bible” sets the stage, describing everything from what the Bible is and how it was written to how we know that we can trust it.“Part 2: Studying the Bible” explains why we should study this book, and how exactly to go about it.“Part 3: Seeing the Bible” goes through the Word of God section by section. The authors take the reader from creation, the fall of man and the flood through Israel’s history, from Jesus’ life, death, burial and resurrection through the birth of the church and, of course, the end of the story.Throughout, the authors have captured key points in irresistible infographics that were surely designed to aid both understanding and memory.Perhaps my favorite example, perfect for anyone who fears that the Bible has changed over the millennia: a three-page section entitled “Has the Bible Really Been Preserved for Us Today?” (pages 32-34). With very few words but arresting artwork, they compare the New Testament to other ancient works from Tacitus’s Annals to Plato’s Tetralogies and Homer’s Iliad. The only logical conclusion? “[T]here is overwhelming evidence that the text of the New Testament we have today is the same as the original.”I’ve been using excerpts from this book at the nursing home, both in one-on-one visits and during our weekly Bible Discussions, with uniformly happy results. Challies and Byers have explained these critical concepts much more concisely and compellingly than I ever could have.In the process, I’ve also learned a lot from them—even though as a former skeptic who fought mightily against embracing the Bible, I did extensive research into most of these subjects many years ago.Bottom line: I recommend this book highly.

Purchased for myself and two friend, awesome book with great detail. Anyone wanting sound history of how the Bible was composed, this book is an excellent start. Be sure to pray so God can open your eyes to a better relationship with who He is and the purpose of Jesus Christ.

Great book

I enjoyed the last entry in this series Visual Theology. This book is an excellent introduction to Biblical Theology. The visuals add to the text and make it an overall engaging read. In my ministry, I am considering using this in our Confirmation class in the future.I only have one real complaint. The binding of the book is stiff and many of the images lose some of their ease to read as they get sucked into the 'gutter' (or center) of the book. While more expensive, this book would better in sewn hardcover book. But, don't let this keep you from picking up the book!